My 2012 wants a Remote Start installed... in 2026.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Myself248, Dec 28, 2025 at 2:28 PM.

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  1. Myself248

    Myself248 Junior Member

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    ...and the internet is full of dead links and out-of-stock parts.

    What's my best option here? I would prefer to do my own installation if possible, mostly because of a pathological hatred of T-taps. The OEM fob is fine, I don't need a lot of range.

    (Background: I never saw the need for a remote start, but lately my commute involves getting on a highway about 1500 feet after starting the car. That's brutal on a cold engine, and sitting in it while it warms up seems silly. Remote start suddenly makes sense, but because I didn't do it 13 years ago, it's slim pickin's to find parts that're still available and documented.)

    I've found that I can buy a new-old-stock OEM PT398-47110, but I'm hard-pressed to figure out whether it requires any sort of software tweaks to enable it after installation. (I have an old copy of TechStream and the clear VCI cable.) Any clarity here would be appreciated.

    I've found a lot of references to the Directed DBALL, but it seems to have been discontinued back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, and it seems to need an XKLOADER2 to program it. I can find both units (and the TLTH2 harness) on eBay, but good luck finding the software. There are new Directed products that seem to do the same thing, but their site isn't exactly open about documentation. (I need an installer login?) Is that just how this industry is?
     
    #1 Myself248, Dec 28, 2025 at 2:28 PM
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    block heater?
     
    #2 bisco, Dec 28, 2025 at 9:37 PM
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  3. Myself248

    Myself248 Junior Member

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    Installed one of those years ago (notably, it requires no software configuration), and it's great in my driveway at home (I have the outlet on a timer and everything), but it's not an option at the hotel where I'm staying for work, sadly.

    I appreciate the out-of-the-box thinking though!
     
    #3 Myself248, Dec 28, 2025 at 10:12 PM
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  4. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    The engine can handle the cold. It will warm up faster under normal driving and you'll have heat.
    You could wait until the engine warms up, at idle, but you don't need too.
     
    #4 ASRDogman, Dec 29, 2025 at 7:49 AM
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  5. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    On the Prius, is there really THAT much difference between the normal engine idle vs highway driving? Just do not be too aggressive initially and you should be OK, IMO. the Prius engine already tries to get up to temperature as fast as it can once it starts.
     
    #5 Prodigyplace, Dec 29, 2025 at 7:55 AM
  6. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    More or less.

    It's a heck of a lot cheaper to provide technical support to a few professional installers than the general public. Given that most people don't install their own to begin with, they aren't even going against the flow to do it this way.

    If it were me I'd skip the whole thing. It's not like you're driving a carbureted cast iron engine from the 1940s. There really have been a lot of advancements in engineering since then, might as well take advantage of them.

    Another thought: just go around the block once before you get on the highway. Nobody's forcing you to take the shortest possible route.
     
    #6 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Dec 29, 2025 at 9:09 AM
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    FWIW, my block heater was replaced by dealership due to recall (fire hazard), and the new one is noticeably weaker. I’ve seen mention online it’s been revised from 400 to 200 watts. Even increasing plugged-in time from my old 2-hour time to 4 hours, pretty anemic.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Dec 29, 2025 at 9:22 AM
  8. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Yes, it idles at a lot higher RPM than a none hybrid car.
    Today's engines and oils don't need the old warm up time like the ones from the 60-70's.



     
    #8 ASRDogman, Dec 29, 2025 at 11:11 AM
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Of interest (maybe): for the first block or two, driving after cold-start, the engine provides no motivation, it’s purely electric. You can verify: step on the gas and the car accelerates, but the engine, while running at fast idle, doesn’t change its tone.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Dec 29, 2025 at 11:20 AM
  10. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    In my experience; most hotels in snow regions usually has several dedicated spaces for plugging-in - ask the front desk personnel.

    Not sure about the gen3, but on the gen4 - hitting the front windscreen defrost will force engine startup cycle. Once it's on; it will complete the ICE warm-up cycle before shutting-down. That's if the software hasn't detected that it's so cold that it needs to start the engine to warm the battery pack.

    You may also want to crawl under the car to check the exhaust gas heat exchanger flap is free and working properly. If that flap is frozen in the open position - it's going to take longer to warm the system.

    Hope this helps....
     
    #10 BiomedO1, Dec 29, 2025 at 11:55 AM
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